Beijing (TDI): China has expressed its willingness to work with the European Union (EU) to safeguard global trade rules and promote fairness in the international trading system.
In response to a query about the China-EU dialogue on US tariff issues, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that Washington’s policy of using tariffs as a weapon for seeking selfish gains is a typical example of unilateralism and protectionism, which damages the interests of economies around the globe, including China and the EU.
Lin said China and the EU are the world’s second and third largest economies, their combined economic output exceeds one third of the international economy, their trade volume accounts for one fourth of world trade, and both China and the EU are supporters of economic globalization and trade liberalization, and defenders and supporters of the WTO.
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The EU and China are committed to protecting the fair and free multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core as well as stable development of international economic and trade relations, said Lin, noting that Beijing has taken and will continue to take resolute steps to safeguard its legitimate interests.
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He said that China is ready to work with the global community, including the EU, to strengthen communication and coordination, share development opportunities, expand open collaboration, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, jointly defending the rules of international trade, fairness and justice.